After more than 40 years of business in town, the Botsford Drive-In is scheduled to close its doors on Saturday, November 30.

The family-owned-and-operated eatery, located at 282 South Main Street, has been in the Castagna family line for three generations.

Owner Kris Castagna said that after his grandparents, Mike and Helen Castagna, bought the business in the late-1970s his father, Nino; uncles; and cousins began working there.

Kris Castagna, a West Coast native who grew up in the south, came up north to help with the business and, as luck would have it, he met his wife, Tina, who had worked at the Botsford Drive-in.

After Mr Castagna’s brother, Leo, took over the business for a short time, Mr Castagna and his family began running it in 1996 and officially purchased it in 2004.

For the last 15 years, both sides of the family have come together to support the business with them.

Even the couple’s children — Chase, 10; Kyle, 8; and two-year-old twins Pennie and Abbie — have enjoyed spending time at the Botsford Drive-In. The boys have especially relished the occasions when their father has brought their baseball teams hot dogs from the restaurant.

Throughout the years, the Botsford Drive-In has remained tried-and-true in serving up fast food. Whether people order from the front window or go through the drive-through, the eatery has become a beloved go-to among travelers and residents.

“It’s been mostly a traditional hot dog stand,” Mr Castagna said. “We have a wide variety on the menu, but we’ve really been known for the hot dogs.”

While the building attracts the eye of those near and far with its yellow-and-red striped siding and rock façade, it is the iconic “Jumbo Dogs” signage that garnered the business so much attention that the food is synonymous with the actual business name.

Looking back on the family’s time running the Botsford Drive-In, Ms Castagna says what she will miss most is the customers and employees.

“Through all the changes that Newtown has seen, our customers have been very loyal to us. We are sad to see that end,” Ms Castagna said. “People would bring their baseball teams here, we’d have car shows, people would ride up their horses to the drive-through — I don’t think you find that everywhere.”

The property is scheduled to be sold December 5 and no longer remain the Botsford Drive-In. (See related story, “DAB Reviews Design For Botsford Eatery” in this issue.) The Castagna’s hope to have a celebration with past and present employees to mark the end of the business’ chapter.

In the meantime, the Botsford Drive-In is open until the end of the month.